By the time he got back playing for Canada in the 2014 Milk Cup, Manu Aparicio was the only Toronto FC loanee remaining on Wilmington Hammerheads FC.

Manu Aparicio

Jordan Hamilton and Quillan Roberts were recalled by Toronto for a friendly match against Tottenham Hotspur on July 23. Roberts returned to Wilmington, but Hamilton was loaned to a second division club in Portugal.

Roberts was then recalled by Toronto after last Friday’s 3-1 loss to Richmond. Daniel Lovitz, of course, was long gone, as he was recalled in early May and has been a steady contributor upon his arrival in Toronto.

Of the four players loaned to Wilmington at the beginning of the season, only Aparicio is still here.

“I was happy for Q. I was happy for Jordan,” Aparicio said Thursday. “It’s great for them to be back in Toronto, go to Portugal. That’s the next step in their career, which is great for them.”

The 18-year-old Aparicio is patient in waiting his turn. He applauded the relationship between MLS and USL Pro which allowed his teammates and longtime friends Roberts and Hamilton to thrive, and as much as he’d like to get a call-up, he’s realistic about his current status and happy to have the chance to grow in Wilmington.

“It’s good because you see they’re actually looking at us down here,” Aparicio said. “At the same time, guys like (TFC midfielders) Michael Bradley, (Kyle Bekker), Jeremy Hall, (Cullen) Warner; they’re good players. I’m going to have to wait my turn. I knew it was going to be tough. Hopefully next year, two years from now, I’ll get my chance and be ready.”

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About This Blog

I am Vince Nairn, coming to the StarNews after spending the first 24 years of my life in Ohio. I interned at the StarNews in 2010 and enjoyed a summer covering rugby, surfing, triathlons: The whole package. I grew up a few miles west of Cleveland and graduated from Ohio University (the Bobcats, not the Buckeyes) in 2011. I am here to be your point man for all the community sports in the Wilmington area. Email me at Vince.Nairn@starnewsonline.com.

Tom Grady has been the StarNews Hammerheads beat writer since the 2002 USL season. He’s followed the Second Division club through two appearances in the national championship game and the 2003 title.

Kick your way back here often for updates on Wilmington’s professional soccer team.